Loose-leaf binder



Jan. 1, 1929.

J. C. STRICKLER ET AL LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Nov. 24, 1925 y 4 /m n BY 7m 'ZZ A i i: 7 ga ATTORNEYS.

Patented Jan, 1, 1929-.

yunirse stares raiser asics.;

JOHN C. STRICKLER,` OF SAN FRANCISCO, AND OSCAR' SCHWALL, OF BERKELEY, CALFORNA.

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.

Application filed 1\T ovember This invention relates to loose leaf binders or covers of the type having a pair of flexible band members extending through the loose leaves and adjustable for various numbers of leaves or for their removal.

The objects of the invention are to provide a better means of adjusting the flexible band members as well as a better joint for the covers cooperating with the bands.

'In the drawings herewith the preferred form of our construction is shown in which 'round leather strips or laces are used for the flexible band members, though it is contemplated that laces of any shape, number, or-material may be used depending on the size or nature of the book.

j Figure 1 shows the complete book with binder covers open, a portion only of one cover being shown and the other cover broken open to reveal the inner construction.

Figure 2 is a side view of Figure 1. Figure 3 is an enlarged View of a portion of one cover of Figure 1 showing in greater detail the arrangement of laces with respect to the leaf clamping bars but with the leaves omitted. Figure 4 is a sectional view of Figure 3 as seen from the line lf-4 thereof but showing the leaves in position. Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional detail of the lace tensioning device as seen from the line 5 5 of Figure 1. Figure 6 is a sectional detail of the lace tensioning device as seen from the line 66 of Figure 5, while Figure 7 is similar to Figure 6 except that the special ratched mechanism is shown in released position, and Figure 8 is anV enlarged sectional detail of Figure 3 taken along the line 8 8 thereof. j

In further detail the covers 1 and 2 of our binder are each constructed of a rectangular frame 3 covered on both sides and edges with a sheet of suitable material as at l and 5 and leaving an open rectangular pocket 6 exposed on the inner face of each cover, and outlined by the rigid frame elements.

Salida-ble within the pocket 6 of each cover is a block V7 (one only being shown) having a plate arm portion 8 extending under the inner longitudinal frame members 3 and freely slidable with the block 7 for the length of the opening 6.

Passing through the block 7 is a rack bar 9 lixed at the ends to securing flanges 10 and secured to the frame by screws or otherwise, and the rack bar 9 is preferably a round rod 24, 1925. Serial N0. 71,069.

'with rack teeth formed alongwone side only as at 11. f

The frame covering material liis left :free of the under side of frame elements 3-for the major length of the coversmeasured from the hinged ends thereofand a` wide web 12 of leather or other flexible material is freely positioned between the frame and coverma.- terial 4 and fastened atits opposite endstov the arms 7, while also attached toithe ends of the arms 7 are flexible bands 18 which.`

pass through any desired number `of loose i' rod being hingedly secured to its adjacent cover by split yokes 16 rotatively engaging reuced bearing portions 17 formed on the ro s. Y

The openings through the rods for the passage of the bands 13V are formed as shown best in Figures 3 and 8 so that when the covers are closed the bands can turn at a right angle as indicated by the dotted position 13 in Figure 8',V and the leaves have a round rod to fold overagainst when the book is opened.

By the arrangement describedit will bev seen that the flexible bands may be'adjusted in the amount exposed between the adjacent ends of the covers to accommodate any number of leaves by simplyV sliding either or both of the blocks 7 toward the hinge of the book and that automatically a sufficient amount of the web 12 will be relaxed to form a back hinge 12 over the rear ends of the leaves.

To lock the blocks in any desired adjust ment we provide a gear 18, engaging the rack teeth 11, and rotatably mounted at 19 Iin the block 7 (which may be made split for easy insertion of the gear and rod) and control the rotation ofthe gear by means Vof a specially devised pawl 20.

This pawl 2O is a plunger projecting from and working in a round hole 21 formed in the block and urged outwardly by a spiral spring 22 seated between the end ofthe hole and inner end of the plunger, while the outer end of the plunger is formed into an enlarged head 20 to positively limit its inloo 'change the Wearing portion of the ward movement when the plunger is compressed by the finger. The central portion of the plunger is formed into a reduced neck as shown in Figures 6 and 7 while at the inner end is formed a series of annular steps 23 adapted to engage several teeth in the gear 18 to lock the same against rotation when the plunger is pushed out by the spring as shown in Figure 6.

To release the plunger` from locking the gear it is pushed inwardly to the position shown in Figure 7.

Thus with 'the book opened out to the position shown in Figur'e 1 any desired ten sion may be put upon the bands 13 and web 12 by simply pushing the blocks 7 outwardly, and to slack of on the bands and Web-the plunger is released to free the gear 18 for idling as the block 7.is moved.

The plunger being round is free to-rotate within the hole 21 and thus constantly small steps 23 so that even though of very small size to match the very small teeth of the gear which it is desirable to use, the device will not wear out or slip even after many years of use.

In contemplating our invention it should be noted thatv while we describe -a sym metrical arrangement alike on both covers, it isr evident that the adjustment feature may be limited to but one of the covers and the bands be cut off and anchored to the other cover as dotted at 24 in Figure 1 and the'web 12 may likewise terminate and be secured at this point.

It should also be noted that any number of bands 13 may be used and they may be of any desired cross section for use with apertured or slotted loose leaves of any of the well known forms, and also that any number of hinges or yokes 16 may be used depending on the size of the book.

Wre claim:

l. In a loose leaf binder a pair of covers, a rack rod mounted longitudinally thereof on one of the covers in a recess formed on the inner side of the cover, a cross bar block slidable along said rod, a `pair of leaf engaging straps secured to said block for tensioning by the same as it is slid outwardly along the cover, automatic locking means adapted for locking the block to the rod at the extreme inward at all points of its sliding therealong, said means provided with a finger release portion operatively projecting out of the edge of the bar below itsl outer surface normally grasped and released by the hand of a person in sliding the block outward and means providing a block gripping space at both ends of travel thereof and insuring freedom for operation of said linger release portion end of travel of the block.

2. In a loose leaf binder provided with leaf engaging tapes secured to an adjusting block slidably mounted on a rack rod arranged longitudinally of the binder cover,l

a revolvable gear on the block engaging the rack and a pawl operative on the gear, said pawl comprising a round plunger longi-` tudinally operative in the block and provided with an annular edge adapted to lock with the teeth of the gear.

In a loose leaf binder provided with leaf engaging tapes secured to an adjusting block shdably mounted on a rack rod arranged longitudinally of the binder cover,

a. revolvable gear on the block engaging the rack and a pawl operative on the gear, said pawl comprising a round plunger longitudinally operative in the block and provided with a plurality of annular edges extending around the plunger and adapted to engage with the teeth of the gear.

4l. In a loose leaf binder for clamping a stack of apertured leaves, a pair of covers outside of the leaves, ieXible bands passing through the apertures of the leaves and adf justable for tension along one ofthe covers, the means for effecting the adjustment comprising av rack rod on the' cover extending parallel tothe bands, a flat bar arranged transversely of and slidable on the rod and to which the ends of the bands are secured, a revolvable gear'on the bar engaging` the rack and a pawl operative on the gear, said 4 pawl comprising a plunger operative in the bar in the plane of the gear, a portion of said plunger being formed to engage the teeth of the gear and a portion extending from the edge of said block adapted for linger operation to release the plunger from said gear. v n

JOHN C. STRICKLER. OSCAR SCHWALL. 

